Dry fire practice training device

ABSTRACT

When a semi-automatic weapon is live fired, its firing pin is reset and is ready to be fired again. The shooter&#39;s hands remain in the firing position, and just the trigger finger and trigger are employed. But with dry fire practice, the shooter must remove a hand from the weapon and ratchet the slide to reset the firing pin, allowing the trigger to return to its unfired position. This must be done each time a shot is simulated. This invention provides, by incorporating a modified ammunition magazine in the weapon&#39;s magazine compartment, realistic muscle memory training by duplicating the action of the trigger, the feel and the sound of the release of the firing pin and the resetting of the trigger for additional trigger activations. It does not interact with the weapon&#39;s firing pin and does not require any alterations to the weapon such as disassembling and reassembling of parts.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM, LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Live firing is the best way to practice drawing and firing a weapon. The practice process builds muscle memory, and helps the shooter develop proper techniques of delivery and complete weapon control. There are several negatives of this type of practice. Using ammunition is an ongoing expense, and measures have to be taken to practice with safety. This could mean traveling to a firing range, providing safety equipment for the shooter and possibly others, and allotting special time in the schedule for the practice session.

Dry fire practice is a good substitute for live fire practice. Dry firing is another process of building muscle memory whereby a firearm, especially a pistol, is drawn, aimed, and fired without using live ammunition. This enables the practice of firing a weapon to proceed smoothly and accurately without all of the said negatives of live fire practice. Because no live ammunition is used, there is no ongoing expense, there is no need to use safety equipment, a special shooting environment is not necessary, and practicing can be accomplished in much less time.

Dry firing also allows the shooter to practice in the actual environment where the weapon may need to be used for protection such as in the home. With complete safety, actual shooting scenarios can be practiced in and around the home.

Practicing at the range can also be improved. When live fire is practiced at the range, the novice shooter usually has to spend a significant amount of time and expend a lot of ammunition getting accustomed to the report and recoil of the weapon. Before live practice begins, some dry fire practicing can be done. This gets the novice shooter accustomed to the trigger feel before having to deal with the recoil and the report of live firing.

A major negative factor occurs with most methods of dry firing because when a semi-automatic weapon is live fired, it resets its firing pin and is ready to be fired again until the magazine is empty. The shooter's hands remain in the firing position, and just the trigger finger and the trigger are employed. With normal dry fire practice, after the first activation of the trigger releasing the firing pin, the shooter must remove a hand from the weapon and ratchet the slide back in order to reset the firing pin. The shooter can then let the trigger return the to its unfired position. The weapon is then ready for another trigger activation. This must be done each time a shot is simulated. Doing this teaches improper muscle memory because it is not at all what happens during actual live fire.

Another negative for standard dry fire practice is that there is concern as to wear and tear on the constant releasing of a weapon's firing pin without it having the cushioning effect of the firing pin striking a round of ammunition.

There are some devices or systems that aid in dry fire practice, but none of the patented devices or systems address the “hands-free” trigger reset problem or the firing pin use problem.

Some patented training systems incorporate computer graphics into the training scenario. Other patents address the duplication of a weapon's recoil, laser marking of “shots”, projecting images onto a screen, etc.

Here are a few examples of weapon training patents:

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

5,993,215; Nov. 30, 1999 Jansen; Kotsiopoulos 4,657,511 Apr. 14, 1987 Allard; Briard; Saunier 4,725,235 Feb. 16, 1988 Schroeder; Osborne 4,737,106 Apr. 12, 1988 Laciny 4,804,325 Feb. 14, 1989 Willits; Kleeman; Willits 5,451,162 Sep. 19, 1995 Parsons

Negative qualities of these devices or systems are that they are either user intensive and/or expensive to purchase. There is also a learning curve or training necessary to use these systems, but most of all, none of the patented devices or systems address the “hands-free” trigger reset problem and the possible firing pin damage problem.

There is therefore a need for a dry fire training device that allows for precise muscle memory training, is simple to operate, prevents the firing pin of the weapon from being damaged, and provides for safe on-site home training.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention that is to be described accomplishes the most important aspects of dry fire training: no live ammunition is used providing safety and no on going expense, convenience of practicing in the home environment where the protective weapon would most likely be used, no involved disassembling and reassembling of any of the weapon's components, the realistic feel of the trigger during the firing process and the trigger reset, precise muscle memory training using only the trigger finger motion, and does not negatively affect the weapon's firing pin. This invention also helps the novice shooter train with his weapon before he has to deal with the recoil and the report of firing live ammunition. This invention is simple to use, provides realistic feel of the trigger operation, produces a sound that simulates the release of the weapon's firing pin, and does not require any alterations to the weapon such as disassembling and reassembling of any parts of the weapon. No previously patented device attempts to solve these problems of “hands-free” trigger reset or possible firing pin damage. Neither do they address these problems of dry fire practice by addressing these situations through the weapon's magazine compartment. This invention simply slides into the magazine compartment in the weapon's handle, and practice can begin. It requires no alteration to weapon before or after practice. This new device functions completely independent of the weapon's firing pin.

An additional point of safety is that the base plate, which is always visible to the shooter and trainer, is painted a bright orange color to identify the safety of device from a magazine that could contain live ammunition. There is no way that this device can mechanically accommodate any live ammunition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an ammunition case with an adjusting nut and adjusting screw adhered to its front wall.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sectional side view of said ammunition case showing adjusting nut and adjusting screw adhered to its back wall.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the lever with various alterations.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of said lever with various alterations specifically illustrated is the upper right member which has been bent outward to intercept the weapon's trigger mechanism.

FIG. 5 illustrates a second side view of said lever with various alterations.

FIG. 6 illustrates the fulcrum pin.

FIG. 7 illustrates the compression spring.

FIG. 8 illustrates the detent reed.

FIG. 9 illustrates a rear view of the lever with assembled detent reed.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of said lever with assembled detent reed.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of said lever with assembled detent reed.

FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the slide lever.

FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of said slide lever.

FIG. 14 illustrates a sectional side view of the assembled device in its resting position after being inserted into the weapon with said slide lever in its retracted position.

FIG. 15 illustrates a rear sectional view of said assembled device.

FIG. 16 illustrates a sectional side view of said assembled device with said slide lever engaged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 & 2 illustrate an ammunition magazine that has been altered by three holes to receive the fulcrum pin 6, a large hole to allow the sound from the detent reed 8 to be heard better, a second large hole to provide access to the detent regulating set screw 3 with its mounting nylon lock nut 2 adhered to the front internal wall of said magazine.

FIGS. 3, 4 & 5 illustrate the lever with various cuts and bends to accept the fulcrum pin 6, the detent reed 8 with its mounting screw 9 and nut 10 and a platform for the compression spring 7.

FIG. 4 illustrates said lever 5 showing its upper most right member bent as necessary to intercept the weapon's trigger mechanism.

FIG. 6 illustrates the fulcrum pin that allows said lever 5 to rotate to activated said detent reed 8 by the action transferred through said lever 5, moving the detent reed 8 against the set screw 3, producing the tactile simulated release of the weapon's firing pin and producing the audible response simulating the release of the weapon's firing pin.

FIG. 7 illustrates the compression spring 7 that returns said lever 5 to its resting position and resets the weapon's trigger mechanism to its resting position.

FIG. 8 illustrates the detent reed 8 that provides the tactile release simulating the feel of the release of the weapon's firing pin and the audible response simulating the sound of the release of the weapon's firing pin. This reed is doubled to provide more tactile and auditory response.

FIGS. 9, 10 & 11 illustrate three views of the said lever 5 with the said detent reed 8 mounted with a machine screw 9 and lock nut 10 to hold said detent reed in position.

FIGS. 12 & 13 illustrate a sliding lever 11 which has on one end an angled surface and on the other end a bent member. The said angled end intercepts the said lever 5 when the said bent member end is pushed by the shooter as the device is being inserted into the weapon's magazine compartment. The sliding action pushes the said lever 5 towards the back of weapon far enough that the said lever 5 can freely move behind the weapon's trigger mechanism. The sliding lever 11 is then pulled back to its initial position so that the said lever 5 can interact with the weapon's trigger mechanism.

FIG. 14 illustrates the assembled device providing a sectional view showing the said lever 5 in the resting position. The compression spring 7 is applying a forward force to hold the said lever 5 forward. This view shows the detent reed 8 resting against the adjusting set screw 3 in its “untripped” or unreleased position. Said set screw 3 provides adjustment to control the release of the said detent reed 8 at precisely the right position in the travel of the weapon's trigger. The said sliding lever 11 is shown in its resting position.

FIG. 15 illustrates a simplified sectional view showing the said lever 5 (without the detent reed 8 and without compression spring 7 for simplification) with said lever's spring platform on its upper end illustrated in the center of the said lever.

FIG. 16 illustrates two situations:

I. The said assembled device has been activated by the weapon's trigger mechanism at point A. The said lever 5 has been moved back, the said compression spring 7 has been compressed between the said lever 5 and the back of the said magazine case 1, and the said detent reed 8 has been moved through its activation point against the said set screw 3 providing the tactile response and the audible response thus simulating the release of the weapon's firing pin.

II. The said assembled device has had its said sliding lever 11 engaged so that the said lever 5 has been moved back to allow the said lever 5 to be positioned behind the weapon's trigger mechanism providing for ease of engagement into the weapon's magazine's compartment. After the said lever 5 is in its working position, the shooter pulls the sliding lever back to its resting position. If desired, a spring could be added to the device which would insure that the sliding lever would return back to its resting position. 

I claim:
 1. A dry fire practice-training device utilizing the weapon's empty magazine compartment, said training device comprised of: a modified ammunition magazine acting as an encasement for the device's other components, said components being: a lever providing a means for interaction between the weapon's trigger mechanism and a doubled detent reed; an adjusting assembly providing for the regulated activation of said detent reed; a compression spring providing a forward force to return said lever to its initial resting position; a sliding member, providing for the positioning of said detent reed bearing lever behind the said weapon's trigger mechanism when the said device is inserted into the said weapon's empty magazine compartment; and an orange base plate providing for the alignment of the said sliding member and for the recognition that the weapon is in a safe training mode; whereby the said dry fire practice-training device provides audible and tactile simulation for realistic, repetitive dry fire training.
 2. The dry fire training device of claim 1, comprised of a mechanism whereby the said weapon's empty magazine compartment is utilized to provide a means for the said device to provide audible and tactile simulation for realistic, repetitive dry fire training, and the resetting of the said weapon's trigger mechanism for multiple activations.
 3. The dry fire training device of claim 1, comprised of a said modified ammunition magazine acting as an encasement for the said device's other components, and providing for an interface between the said device and the said weapon's trigger mechanism.
 4. The dry fire training device of claim 1, comprised of a said ammunition magazine that has been altered by three holes: one to receive the fulcrum pin for the said detent reed bearing lever, a larger hole to allow the sound from the said detent reeds to be heard better by the shooter, and another larger hole to provide access to the said detent reed's regulating assembly.
 5. The dry fire training device of claim 1, comprised of a said ammunition magazine that has been altered with a said regulating assembly comprised of a set screw in a nylon lock nut adhered to said magazine's inside back surface which allows the said detent reeds to be adjusted to activate at the position when the said trigger mechanism would release the said weapon's firing pin during normal live fire.
 6. The dry fire training device of claim 1, comprised of a lever providing a member for the interaction between the said weapon's trigger mechanism and a said doubled detent reed, said lever being fabricated from a channel material of proper dimensions for the support of said detent reeds, and providing a platform for a compression spring.
 7. The dry fire training device of claim 6, comprised of a said lever fabricated of a length of channel material with: a slot to support a said doubled detent reed, providing audible and tactile simulation for repetitive trigger action; a hole for a machine screw and nut to retain said doubled detent reeds in said slot; a platform for a compression spring which returns the said lever to its resting position thereby resetting the said weapon's trigger mechanism for multiple activations; a hole for a fulcrum pin for said lever to rotate upon; and an elongated member that intercepts the said weapon's trigger mechanism.
 8. The dry fire training device of claim 7, comprised of a lever of a length of channel material fabricated to support a compression spring between a platform of the said lever and the back wall of the said ammunition magazine which when compressed, returns the said lever to its resting position, thereby allowing for the intermediate reset of the said trigger mechanism for multiple trigger activations or when the trigger is completely released, allows the trigger to return to its unfired, resting position.
 9. The dry fire training device of claim 1, comprised of a sliding member, providing for the positioning of said lever behind the said weapon's trigger mechanism when the said device is inserted into the said weapon's empty magazine compartment.
 10. The dry fire training device of claim 8, comprised of a said sliding member which has an angled surface providing an interaction between the said lever and the inner front surface of the said ammunition magazine to retract the said lever toward the back of the said magazine far enough to be positioned behind the said trigger mechanism when the said device is inserted into the said empty magazine compartment.
 11. The dry fire training device of claim 8, comprised of said sliding member which has a bent projection on the opposite end of the said angled surfaced end which extends through the base plate and receives the upward force of the shooters hand when the said device is inserted into the said weapon's empty magazine compartment thus producing the sliding motion to accomplish the action of claim 9
 12. The dry fire training device of claim 1, comprised of a said base plate altered with a slot to provide for the alignment of the said bent projection of claim 10 to extend through said base plate to receive the activating force of the shooter's hand to accomplish the action of claim
 9. 13. The dry fire training device of claim 11, comprised of a said base plate of an orange color to indicate to the shooter and others that the said weapon has a safe, non-live ammunition magazine inserted. 